This text answers the questions: what internal factors cause a person to end their life?; and what are the familial and societal factors which contribute to this decision? It argues that the key to understanding suicidal behaviour is knowing the destructive thought processes of those at risk.

This detailed text contains case histories w hich provide an unparalleled depth of emotional reality in t his invaluable guide to assessing risk and designing treatme nt for depressed and suicidal patients. '

• Part General approach
• the self and antiself
• suicidal signs and suicide prevention
• inwardness
• personality traits that predispose suicide
• brief review of psychodynamic and cognitive approaches to suicide
• the epidemiology of suicide and brief history of methods for assessing risk
• suicide among adolescents
• suicide among older people
• Part Indirect suicide
• microsuicide
• the relationship between guilt and the suicidal process
• regression precipitated by positive circumstances
• Part Theory of defence formation
• the voice process and the fantasy bond
• couple and family relationships
• Part Assessment and treatment
• identification of the suicidal individual
• the development of the "Firestone Assessment of Self
• Destructive Thoughts"
• treatment strategies and malpractice issues
• voice therapy methodology in the treatment of the suicidal patient
• Part Conclusion
• guidelines for primary prevention of suicide and summary